(Independent Release) With his debut solo outing, Peter Webb creates a powerful and deeply resonant atmosphere. As the first notes of a softly played piano in opening number “Spain” ease into “Little Sister,” the album takes shape as an amber-colored collection of personal ruminations. Each song is bound by an array of inward sentiments—hardly the skronk fest or jazz-inflected excursion one might expect from the saxophone player towering over Atlanta jazz-math provocateurs Faun and a Pan Flute.
But many of these songs predate Webb’s time as a member of Faun’s large ensemble. As a result, they offer a complete look at Webb’s evolution as a songwriter, and the chemistry he’s fostered with an ensemble that includes Jared Pepper (drums), Ryan Gregory (viola/violin), John Gregg (drums) and Adam Mincey (bass). “Trees” builds on spacious melodies and a subtle bounce colored by the naturally subdued tones of Webb’s guitar. The simple, evocative phrasing of lyrics such as, “Proximity can lead to all kinds of things/ I ignored them with a smile” (in “Proximity”), underscore a mood that lies somewhere between sedate and intangible.
There is no resolution in these songs, only reflection. The cavernous qualities in Webb’s voice lend themselves to powerful moments that lie just on the edge of profound realization. How the rollercoaster rides of his personal relationships have affected him shape each song. It isn’t an easy ride, but it’s deeply cathartic.
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